Controls Technician

ZF Group; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Controls Technician, where you'll leverage your technical expertise to enhance manufacturing equipment reliability and performance. This role involves providing critical support to the maintenance department, developing solutions for equipment deficiencies, and ensuring optimal operation of controls systems. You'll work collaboratively with engineering teams and shop floor users, making a tangible impact on production processes. If you're passionate about innovation and eager to contribute to continuous improvement efforts in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in controls and maintenance.
• Proficient in PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with manufacturing equipment controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical analysis for maintenance of manufacturing equipment.
• Develop solutions to improve equipment performance and reliability.
• Modify programming and control systems for enhanced safety and efficiency.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Basic math skills

Ability to use standard measurement tools

Ability to analyze blueprints

Ability to troubleshoot Windows PC

Ability to understand/edit PLC programs

Familiarity with engineering drawings

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Associate or Technical degree

Tools

PLC programming (RS Logix 500 and 5000)

Microsoft Office

Vision systems (Cognex, Keyence)

DC torque fastening systems

Job description

Req ID 77564 | North Charleston, SC, United States WABCO Compressor Manufacturing Co

Controls Technician

Position Summary: The Controls Technician is responsible for providing technical analysis and expertise in the optimized maintenance of shop floor PC’s/PLC’s related hardware, software, and applications, to ensure the reliability and availability of manufacturing equipment. This position serves as an internal consultant to the Maintenance Department, across all areas for maintaining production equipment during start-ups, breakdowns, and continuous improvement activities on electrical/controls process issues.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Identify deficiencies in equipment from operation and original design to force equipment failure; serve as an internal consultant for issues related to maintenance controls in troubleshooting.
2. Develop solutions and ensure the completion of long-term elimination of controls deficiencies, improve equipment performance, and overall equipment reliability.
3. Modify programming improvements and controls systems involving PLC’s and PC’s.
4. Provide technical guidance and expertise in the modification of hardware, software, electrical and power transmission control systems to improve safety, reliability, throughput, costs of ownership and operational readiness of manufacturing equipment.
5. Work with customer and/or internal manufacturing engineering teams on improvements to manufacturing equipment controls.
6. Respond to the needs and questions of shop floor users concerning their access and use of shop floor PLC applications, applications issues, and training needs.
7. Communicate and provide technical clarification of issues and solutions to both maintenance and non-maintenance personnel regarding manufacturing equipment controls.
8. Update program backup files and associated documentation to support overall maintenance operations.
9. Plan, design, and select technical solutions for planned and corrective actions or continuous improvements.
10. Ensure maximum up-time on all manufacturing equipment to include but not limited to machining, assembly equipment, and shop equipment.
11. Participate in continuous improvement programs and provide support to the team efforts.
12. Work extended or flexible hours as required to cover for gaps in leadership positions.
13. Comply with all IATF - 16949 policies procedures.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Experience

Essential Skills Experience:

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2. 2+ years of related experience.
3. Proficient in Microsoft Office (i.e., Excel, Word, etc.).
4. Proven problem-solving skills.
5. Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Experience in machining components.
7. Basic math and reading skills.
8. Ability to use standard shop measurement tools.
9. Familiarity with engineering assembly and component drawings.
10. Experience in control system design and installation utilizing PLC’s ladder logic, variable frequency drives, and servo control systems.
11. Working knowledge of vision systems.
12. Ability to work flexible hours for production, development, and training needs.
13. Experience with supporting plant floor systems and applications.
14. Ability to read logic/flow diagrams for program design, programming simulation, testing, and start-up.
15. Ability to read drawing/prints (i.e., CAD) - in both electrical and mechanical – in DIN/ISO standard format (in metrics).
16. Ability to analyze blueprints and use mathematics to evaluate/understand complex machine drawings.
17. Ability to understand/edit PLC programs for machine and process applications (RS Logix 500 and 5000).
18. Ability to understand and troubleshoot Windows PC.
19. Understand knowledge concepts related to networks (e.g., Ethernet, Profibus, etc.).

Preferred Skills Experience:

1. Associate or Technical degree.
2. Working knowledge of DC torque fastening systems.
3. Experience with Robotics technology and programming of Universal Robots.
4. Experience with developing technical processes and solutions with TPM (total productive maintenance) environment.
5. Experience Sinumerik 840D (NC Programming).
6. Experience with Vision System (Cognex, Keyence).
7. Experience in the Automotive Industry.
8. German and/or Spanish language skills.
9. Compliance with all IATF - 16949 policies procedures.
10. Familiar with Omron, Beckhoff, and Siemens PLC’s.

Be part of our ZF team as Controls Technician and apply now!

Contact:

Charnequa Butts
[phone]

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability, and social justice.

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran